US20190054336A1

US20190054336A1 - Elastic Weight Training Apparatus with Built-in Grip

Info

Publication number: US20190054336A1
Application number: US15/680,302
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-Hung Wang
Original assignee: REN-E SPORT GOODS Co Ltd
Current assignee: REN-E SPORT GOODS Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-18
Filing date: 2017-08-18
Publication date: 2019-02-21

Abstract

An elastic weight training apparatus includes a hollow main body and a grip. The main body is made of rubber and has an inner surface that defines an inner space, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, at least one opening extending through the inner and outer surfaces and communicating with the inner space, and two positioning portions disposed on the inner surface opposite to each other. The grip has a rod-shaped body disposed in the inner space and has two opposite end portions respectively connected to the positioning portions.

Description

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a weight training apparatus, more particularly to an elastic weight training apparatus with a built-in grip.

BACKGROUND

Existing apparatuses used for weight training, such as dumbbells, kettlebells, etc., are mostly made by metal casting. Although they can achieve the desired purpose of weight training, because the materials of these weight training apparatuses are hard, they are likely to cause injury to the user due to accidental dropping or bumping.
Further, to provide a variety of different weight specifications of weight training apparatuses for a user to choose from according to his/her requirement, a variety of sizes of molds must be made to produce a variety of weight training apparatuses with different weights. However, the molds are expensive. Moreover, because the impurity content of the casting raw material is not easy to control so that the proportion of the raw materials is changed, the weight training apparatus after casting has a large weight error and an unstable quality.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an elastic weight training apparatus that has a built-in grip and that can minimize injury to a user.
According to this disclosure, an elastic weight training apparatus comprises a hollow main body and a grip. The main body is made of rubber and has an inner surface that defines an inner space, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, at least one opening extending through the inner and outer surfaces and communicating with the inner space, and two positioning portions disposed on the inner surface opposite to each other. The main body has a wall thickness measured. from the outer surface to the inner surface, or vice versa. The grip has a rod-shaped body disposed in the inner space and has two opposite end portions respectively connected to the positioning portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present. disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded sectional view of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training appar-atus according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an elastic weight training apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the sixth embodiment. taken along line of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present disclosure is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying embodiment, it should be noted herein that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. I, an elastic weight train thg apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown to comprise a main body 10 and a grip 20.
The main body 10 is hollow, is made of rubber (natural or synthetic rubber), and has a center line (L), an inner surface 12 having a spherical shape surrounding the center line (L) and defining an inner space 121, an outer surface 13 opposite to the inner surface 12, an opening 14 extending through the inner and outer surfaces 12, of an upper portion of the main body 10 and communicating with the inner space 121, and two positioning portions 15 disposed on the inner surface 12 opposite to each other across the center line (L) The main body 10 has a wall thickness (t) measured from the outer surface 13 to the inner surface 12, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the wall thickness (t) of the main body 10 is uniform. Alternatively, the wall thickness (t) of the main body 10 at a lower portion thereof may be greater than that of an upper portion thereof (see phantom lines in FIG. 1). That is, the upper portion of the main body 10 is thinner than the lower portion thereof. Each positioning portion 15 has positioning hole 151 communicating with the inner space 121.
The grip 20 has a rod-shaped body disposed in the inner space 121 and transverse to the center line (L). The grip 20 has two opposite end portions 21 respectively inserted into the positioning holes 151 and positioned thereat.
In use, a user's hand simply extends into the inner space 121 via the opening 14 and holds the grip 20 to perform a weight training exercise.
As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the main body 10 opposite to the opening 14 is thicker than the upper portion thereof. Through this, the center of gravity of the elastic weight. training apparatus 100 is located at the lower portion of the main body 10, so that the opening 14 is maintained facing upward. Thus, the elastic weight train ng apparatus 100 has a roly-poly shape.
By making the main body 10 with different wall thickness (t), weight training apparatuses with different weight specifications can be made, so that the manufacturing cost thereof can be saved. Further, because the main body 10 is made of rubber, injury to the user due to accidental dropping or bumping of the elastic weight training apparatus 100 can be minimized.
FIG. 2 illustrates the second embodiment of the elastic weight training apparatus 100′ of this disclosure, which is generally identical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the main body 10′ has a feat portion 16 located at one side of the center line (L). When the elastic weight training apparatus 100′ is placed on a planar surface, the flat portion 16 forms an included angle (θ) with the center line (L). The included angle (θ) ranges from 30° to 60°. Preferably, the included angle (θ) is 45°.
FIG. 3 illustrates the third embodiment of the elastic weight training apparatus 100″ of this disclosure, which is generally identical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the lower portion of the main body 10″ is also provided with an opening 14 opposite to the opening 14 in the upper portion of the main body 10″, the positioning hole 151″ of each positioning portion 15″ extends through the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body 10″, and the two end portions 21″ of the grip 20″ respectively extend through the positioning holes 151″ of the positioning portions 15″ to protrude out of the main body 10″. Further, each end portion 21″ of the grip 20″ is provided with an external thread 22. The elastic weight training apparatus 100″ further comprises at least two counterweights 40 respectively mounted on the end portions 21″ of the grip 20″. The grip 20″ further has two blocking members 23 engaged threadedly and respectively to the external threads 22 of the end portions 21″ so as to position the counterweights 40 on the respective end portions 21″. The blocking members 23 can limit the position. of the grip 20″ relative to the main body 10″. The elastic weight training apparatus 100″ can have a function of counterweight adjustment by using counterweights 40 of different thicknesses and sizes. The third embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fourth embodiment of the elastic weight training apparatus (100 a) of this disclosure is shown to be generally identical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the elastic weight training apparatus (100 a) further comprises a plurality of counterweights (40 a) and an auxiliary counterweight 70. The main body (10 a) further has a fixing seat 18 provided on the lower portion thereof and opposite to the opening 14. The fixing seat 18 has a screw hole 181. The auxiliary counterweight 70 is secured to the fixing seat 18 by a screw 71 which engages the screw hole 181.
Each positioning portion (15 a) includes a fixing member 30 fixed between the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body (10 a), and a connecting member 50 disposed on a respective one of the end portions (21 a) of the grip (20 a) and removably connected to the fixing member 30. The fixing member 30 has a plurality of anchor holes 31 formed between the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body (10 a), and a screw hole 32 surrounded by the anchor holes 31. The connecting member 50 includes a fastening portion 51 and a movable sleeve 52. The fastening portion 51 includes a threaded shank 511 threadedly engaged to the screw hole 32, and an external thread section 512 opposite to the threaded shank 511 and having a diameter larger than that of the threaded shank 511. The movable sleeve 52 has a tubular body 520 formed with an internally threaded hole 5201, and an annular flange 521 extending inwardly from a peripheral end of the tubular body 520 and defining a through hole 5211 communicating with the internally threaded hole 5201. The movable sleeve 52 is connected. threadedly and removably to the fastening portion 51 through engagement of the external thread section 512 and the internally threaded hole 5201.
Each end portion (21 a) of the grip (20 a) has a head 211 positioned in the tubular body 520 of the movable sleeve 52 of the connecting member 50 of a respective one of the positioning portions (15 a), such that the movable sleeves 52 of the connecting members 50 of the positioning portions (15 a) are movable toward and away from. each other along a length. of the grip (20 a).
Two counterweights (40 a) are exemplified in this embodiment. Each counterweight (40 a) is sleeved on the fastening portion 51 of a respective one of the connecting members 50, and is positioned between the inner surface 12 of the main body (10 a) and the movable sleeve 52 of the respective connecting member 50.
By pre-embedding the fixing member 30 of each positioning portion (15 a) between the inner and outer surfaces 12, 13 of the main body (10 a), by engaging the threaded shank. 511 of the fastening portion 51 of each. connecting member 50 with the screw hole 32 of the fixing member 30 of a respective positioning portion (15 a), and with the end. portions (21 a) of the grip (20 a) being limited rotatably and respectively within the tubular bodies 520 of the movable sleeves 52 of the connecting members 50, the grip (20 a) can be firmly positioned within the inner space 121 between the connecting members 50, and each counterweight (40 a) can be limited and positioned between the inner surface 12 of the main body (10 a) and the movable sleeve 52 of the respective connecting member 50. The elastic weight training apparatus (100 a) can have a function of counterweight adjustment by using auxiliary counterweights 70 of different thicknesses and sizes. The fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 6, the fifth embodiment of the elastic weight training apparatus (100 b) of this disclosure is shown to be generally identical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the main body (10 b) further has two cutouts 19 corresponding in. position to the positioning portions (15 b), the positioning holes (151 b) of the positioning portions (15 b) respectively communicate with the cutouts 19, and the end portions (21 b) of the grip (20 b) respectively extend into the cutouts 19 through the positioning holes (151 b). The wall thickness (t) of the main body (10 b) at the lower portion thereof is greater than that of the upper portion thereof. Each end portion (21 b) of the grip (20 b) is provided with an external thread (22 b).
The elastic weight training apparatus (100 b) further comprises at least two counterweights (40 b) which are respectively threaded to the external threads (22 b) of the end portions (21 b) of the grip 20(b) and which are respectively located in the cutouts 19. The elastic weight training apparatus (100 b) can have a function of counterweight adjustment by using counterweights (40 b) of different thicknesses and sizes.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the sixth embodiment of the elastic weight training apparatus (100 c) of this disclosure is shown to be generally identical to the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the main body (10 c) includes a first body half 160 and a second body half 170 integrally connected to each other. The first body half 160 has a first half inner surface 161 and a first half outer surface 162. The second body half 170 has a second half inner surface 171 and a second. half outer surface 172. The first half inner surface 161 and the second half inner surface 171 cooperatively form the inner surface 12 of the main body (10 c), while the first half outer surface 162 and the second. half outer surface 172 cooperatively form the outer surface 13 of the main body (10 c). The first body half 160 and the second body half 170 cooperatively form. the inner space 121 and the opening 14 of the main body (10 c). The grip (20 c) includes a first grip half 220 connected to the first body half 160, and a second grip half 230 connected to the second body half 170. The sixth embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the embodiment. From the foregoing, the elastic weight training apparatus 100, 100′, 100″, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c of this disclosure has a simple overall structure and is easy to manufacture. Therefore, the object of this disclosure can indeed be realized.
While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An elastic weight training apparatus comprising:

a hollow main body made of rubber and having an inner surface that defines an inner space, an outer surface opposite to said inner surface, at least one opening extending through said inner and outer surfaces and communicating with said inner space, and two positioning portions disposed on said inner surface opposite to each other, said main body having a wall thickness measured from said outer surface to said inner surface, or vice versa; and

a grip having a rod-shaped body disposed in said inner space and having two opposite end portions respectively connected to said positioning portions.

2. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said positioning portions has a positioning hole communicating with said inner space, and said end portions of said grip are respectively inserted into said positioning holes of said positioning portions.

3. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body further has a center line, and said inner surface has a spherical shape surrounding the center line.

4. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said main body has a flat portion located at one side of the center line, said flat portion forming an included angle with the center line when said elastic weight training apparatus is placed on a planar surface, said included angle ranging from 30° to 60 °.

5. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said positioning portions has a positioning hole extending through said inner and outer surfaces of said main body and communicating with said inner space, said end portions of said grip respectively extending through said positioning holes of said positioning portions to protrude out of said main body, said elastic weight training apparatus further comprising at least two counter-weights respectively mounted on said end portions.

6. The elastic weight. training apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said main body has two said openings, one of said openings being provided in an upper portion of said main body, another one of said openings being provided in a lower portion of said main body, each of said end portions of said grip being provided with an external thread, said grip further having two blocking members engaged threadedly and respectively to said external threads of said end portions to position said at least two counterweights on said end portions, respectively.

7. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim, 1, wherein:

each of said positioning portions includes fixing member fixed between said inner and outer surfaces of said main body, and a connecting member disposed on a respective one of said end portions of said grip and removably connected to said fixing member, said fixing member having a plurality of anchor holes formed between said inner and outer surfaces of said main body, and a screw hole surrounded by said anchor holes, said connecting member including a fastening portion and a movable sleeve, said fastening portion including a threaded shank threadedly engaged to said screw hole, and an external thread section opposite to said threaded shank and having a diameter larger than that of said threaded shank, said movable sleeve having a tubular body formed with an internally threaded hole, and an annular flange extending inwardly from a peripheral end of said tubular body and defining a through hole communicating with said internally threaded hole, said movable sleeve being connected threadedly and removably to said fastening portion through engagement of said external thread section and said internally threaded hole;

each of said end portions of said grip has a head positioned in said tubular body of said movable sleeve of said connecting member of a respective one of said positioning portions such that said movable sleeves of said connecting members of said positioning portions are movable toward and away from each other along a length of said grip; and

said elastic weight training apparatus further comprises at least two counterweights, each of which is mounted on said fastening portion of said connecting member of the respective one of said positioning portions and each of which is positioned between said inner surface of said main body and said movable sleeve of said connecting member of the respective one of said positioning portions.

8. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said main body further has a fixing seat opposite to said opening, and said elastic weight training apparatus further comprises an auxiliary counterweight secured to said fixing seat.

9. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall thickness of said main body at a lower portion thereof is greater than that at an upper portion thereof.

10. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein saidmain body further has two cutouts corresponding in position to said positioning portions, each of said positioning portions having a positioning hole communicating with said inner space and a respective one of said cutouts, said end portions of said grip respectively extending into said cutouts through said positioning holes, said elastic weight training apparatus further comprising at least two counterweights respectively connected to said end portions and respectively located in said cutouts.

11. The elastic weight training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body includes a first body half and a second body half connected to each other, said first body half having a first half inner surface and a first half outer surface, said second body half having a second half inner surface and a second half outer surface, said first half inner surface and said second half inner surface cooperatively forming said inner surface of said main body, said first half outer surface and said second half outer surface cooperatively forming said outer surface of said main body, said first body half and said second body half cooperatively forming said opening of said main body, said grip including a first grip half connected to said first body half, and a second grip half connected to said second body half.